Thursday, February 3, 2011

Waiting for Wednesday, Volume 3, Issue 5

Howdy, folks, and welcome to a Very Thursday Edition of Waiting for Wednesday. I got bumped from my usual time slot yesterday for something (I've been told) that's more important than comic books and the buying of said comic books.

The nerve of some people, I tells ya.

Though, to be honest, if I had my way, you wouldn't hear from me until after Nathaniel delivers the second part of yesterday's exciting announcement. Because it's a heck of a good yarn.

And it is exciting. I wouldn't even have to venture too far out on that metaphorical limb (I'd go out on the real one, just outside my window, but it's too covered in ice to support anything heavier than a crow at the moment) to say that, yes, yesterday's post was the single most important thing that's ever appeared on this blog.

And the happiest, too.

I've known the newly engaged couple for just about four years now, and like everyone else who knows either party for even just a little bit, the first thing I said to Nathaniel after he told me the news was, "It's about time."

Seriously. You should see these two.

Check out any photo of Nathaniel and his soon-to-be bride at, say, Otakon, and just try telling me she isn't the Marion to his Indy. The Leia to his Han. The Ally McBeal to his Harrison Ford.

More importantly, though, he is the Green Arrow to her Black Canary.

What your intrepid, geeky reporter is trying to say here is that they are a great couple. And I'm incredibly happy for them both, and I wish them the greatest of everything, forever.

So, Exfanders, let's all raise a glass and say CONGRATULATIONS!

-- -- -- --

And, oh yeah! There are comics that came out this week. Um. Okay, let's see. Since I was snowed in again yesterday (well, fine, that's not true--I was actually "iced" in), I didn't make it to the comics shop for the second week in a row.

However, I'm told that publishers still publish books, distributors still distribute books, and stores still sell books, even though Yours Truly is stuck at home.

The nerve of some people, I tells ya.

Anyway, today we have issue two of a two-part story written by Mike Mignola and with beautiful line art by Scott Hampton and lush colors by the great Dave Stewart. Hellboy: The Sleeping and the Dead is one of those perfect collaborative efforts, where you can't imagine a better pairing of writer and artists to tell a specific story. The theme, mood, and story elements here--gothic vampires, basically--are so perfectly suited to Hampton's art and, obviously, to the Hellboy character and Mignola's voice.Here's the quick, on-the-nose solicitation information from Dark Horse:

Hellboy is trapped in a dark basement littered with bones and small coffins, and the only way out is through the floating creature of death!

For the first time, Mike Mignola teams up with artist Scott Hampton (Batman, The Sandman Presents: Lucifier) for this gothic tale.

* Classic vampire horror!

* The exciting conclusion!

I'd say this two-parter is the perfect way for someone new to Hellboy to wade into the waters of Mignola's universe. Issue one will almost certainly still be available at your local shop, so buy both books and see if it's your thing.

Give it a shot. I think you'll dig it.

And with that, I'm off. To do more work, and then to go to meetings, and then to go to the comics shop (maybe, hopefully). Before I go, though, what are you Waiting for?